Question - Recently purchased a '95 w140 S-Class w/ relatively low miles (85K). Over the last couple of weeks, what appears to be creaking of the suspension system can be heard inside and outside of the cabin - very irritating! It only occurs at low mph (15 mph and less). Even when exiting the car with the ignition off, you hear the same creaking as the person's weight is lifted. It appears to be related to the suspension, i.e. springs, struts, shocks, etc. Any ideas, rough idea of repairs or similiar experiences?

 

best way to find out is to lift the car using scissor lift or put it in the pit.

have somebody move the car up/down while you listen for the source of noise.

having a mechanical stethoscope is better.

 

Yes, had exactly this myself. 96 W140
Took it to a shop and they couldn't find the problem.
Made them take it out and drive it, then they started looking properly.
Traced it to a dried out rubber bush in the rear driver's side suspension.
They dropped all the suspension and replaced the bush.
Part very inexpensive, labour about $350
Problem fixed.

Apparently not risky to leave it, but frankly I didn't buy an S600 to go creaking audibly around the neighbourhood

 

You could have all sorts of problems. It might start of replacing a rubber bushing (inexpensive) to replacing shocks on self-leveling suspension (very expensive if you do it in the shop). If you are not planning on doing any work yourself, I would have that car taken to the shop that you trust. A lot of times people are trying to rip you off. Here is a little example. My brother had simular problem. He took it to the shop and the guy was automatically saying that his rear shocks are shot and he needs to replace them. He had an estimate close to $2000. He took it to some other shop, and the guy just replace stabalizer bar links for a little over nothing and that fixed the problem.

Regards.